‘This is a wonderful book that should be on the desk of every architect and planner. It shows how

Just how do institutions transfer resources from poor to rich?
Market-based systems are based on the assumption that markets will lead to the most efficient 
outcomes. But even if markets lead to lower prices and more efficient consumption, it does not 
mean a fair 
distribution
of environmental values and amenities are assured over time. For example, if 
water is privatized, efficiencies may result – once water is so scarce that the cost is high enough. But 
by then it may be too late to save the environmental flows of water. And it can also mean some will 
be able to waste water while others must go without. Those who can pay can waste. Market-based 

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246
Positive Development
environmental management tools do not address this kind of market failure. Wealth transfers also 
occur through:
•
Specific conceptual tools or mechanisms like ‘discounting’, where future values are reduced to
present values in analyses.
• 
Political decisions, deals and favours where ecological issues are seen as not especially 
relevant, and planning or environmental management advice is not deemed warranted.
19
Many kinds of political decisions have implications for both land use and sustainability, yet
do not involve planners at all.
• 
Legislation where wealth is effectively transferred without the direct allocation of land or
resources.
20
For example, mineral rights and trading systems create ‘rights’ to resources that
separate the value from the land or water. Therefore, decisions are made without debate over
the best use of the resources. 
Infrastructure planning and physical design can compensate for some political and market failure by 
providing more public facilities and amenities. This would at least ensure that the poor have access 
to social or natural services, facilities and/or amenities [Box 48]. Even low-cost public facilities, 
such as parks, community education and urban gardens, can be somewhat re-distributive if they 
are suitable for access and use by 
both
rich and poor. Improving the urban environment would be a 
relatively inexpensive way of reducing both the negative health, safety and life-quality impacts on the 
urban poor and the need for defensive expenditure by the rich. That is, the impacts of these negative 
transfers on life quality can be mitigated, if not reversed, by eco-retrofitting (without harming those 
who have the power to block Positive Development).